Tarik Skubal's surprising WBC decision speaks volumes about his Tigers commitment

Tarik Skubal's addition to Team USA's 2026 World Baseball Classic roster made even the most unpatriotic of Tigers fans feel like buying an American flag and going for a run down Woodward Ave.

It wasn't just that Skubal was suiting up; it was the company he would be keeping on Team USA — Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Cal Raleigh, and maybe most of all Paul Skenes. Who wouldn't want to see the reigning Cy Young winners pitch back-to-back starts on the international stage?

But Skubal's participation had to be tempered with some caution. Pitching playoff-style baseball weeks before Opening Day, while thrilling, increases the risk of injury. The WBC is a fan favorite event, and players feel strongly about the opportunity to represent their countries, but what about the teams depending on them? Who are actually paying them to stay as healthy as possible?

Turns out, we won't need to worry too much about Skubal. He told reporters at spring training that he only plans to make one start during pool play before heading back to Lakeland.

It's a bummer for baseball fans on the whole, but it lets Tigers fans breathe a little easier.

Tarik Skubal reveals he'll only pitch one World Baseball Classic start before heading back to Tigers spring training

The most infamous of WBC injuries have been flukes, but maybe that's what makes them all the more terrifying. Jose Altuve was hit by a pitch and missed two months. Edwin Díaz was in the middle of celebrating a win that sent Team Puerto Rico to the quarterfinals when he tore his patellar tendon and missed the entire season.

The Tigers are paying Skubal $32 million this year, likely the last we'll see of him in a Tigers uniform. If anything like what happened to Díaz happens to Skubal, it could be catastrophic for Detroit.

But, clearly, Skubal understands the risk and the weight of his presence atop the Tigers' rotation just as well as anyone. Playing things on the safe side is a little disappointing for all of the WBC lovers out there, but it reaffirms Skubal's commitment to the Tigers.

Team USA is part of Pool B along with Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, and Brazil, and games will take place from March 6-11 in Houston at the Astros' Daikin Park. If Skubal's only getting one start, we'll keep our fingers crossed that he lines up to face Mexico and really puts on a show.